Fountain toothbrush



April 24, 1956 B, BURGIN FOUNTAIN TOOTHBRUSH Filed June 16, 1953 Luiher 5 Burg/h INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2 2,743,042 FOUNTAHSI TOOTHBRUSHV' Luther B. Burgin, Poplar Bluff, Mo. Application June 16, 1953, Serial No. 361,927

' 3 Claims. or. 222-191 This invention relates in general to improvements in tooth brushes,more particular to an improved fountain tooth brush, a

. The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved tooth brush which includes a handle containing tooth brush, the handle having associated therewith a pump for pumping tooth paste into a hollow head portion' of the tooth brush for supplying tooth paste to bristles thereof. i

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fountain tooth brush of the type which includes a handle having a tooth paste container portion, the handle being provided with a. pump for supplying the'tooth paste from the container portion to a hollow head from which bristles extend, the pump being in the form of a flexible hollow member having automatic valves at opposite ends thereof.' a i Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fountain tooth brush which is of a relatively sirnple construction and formed of readily obtainable mate'- rials so as to be economically feasible. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved fountain tooth brush which includes a removable handle portion, the removable handle portion being in the form of a tooth paste container. 7

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedivalve system fora bulb type pump, the valve system being automatic in operation and being adapted to facilitate the drawing of'tooth paste from a tooth paste container into the bulb.

. ,Th'esetogether with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of ate portion of the rear part of the tooth brush handle being omitted; i

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectionalview taken substantially upon theplane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows the general construction of the valve member between the bulb and the tooth paste container portion of the handle;

Figure 4 is a'transverse sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure 2 i and shows the general cross-section of the head of the tooth brush,

1 Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substan- ;?ti ally upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 2 and shows the relationship of the bulb to that portion of the handle in which it is positioned;.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the head of a modified form of tooth brush;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a modified form of valve;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the valve shown in Figure 7 and shows the same in its closed position;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of still another modified form of valve; and,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the valve of Figure 9 and shows the same in its normal position. a

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a fountain tooth brush which is the subject of this invention, the fountain tooth brush being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10 The fountain tooth brush 10 includes an elongated flat hollow head 12 having a longitudinal bore 14 therethrough. Carried by the head 12 and projecting outwardly therefrom are bristles 16.

Integral with the head 12 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a forward handle portion 18. The handle portion 18 is provided with reduced cross-sectional externally threaded rear portion 20 to which is removably secured a tubular container portion 22, the container portion 22 forming the rear portion of thehandle of the tooth brush 10. Referring now to Figure2 in particular, it will be seen that mounted within the forward handle portion 18 and interlocked therewith is a flexible bulb 24. The bulb 24 is provided at its forward end with a normally closed slit 26 which communicates with the tube portion 14 of the hollow head 12. The slit 26 functions as a valve for the front of the bulb 24. The rear portion of the bulb 24 is interlocked with the forward portion of the handle 18 as at 28 to prevent relative movement between the bulb 24 and the forward handle portion 18.

The reducedrear portion 20 of the handle portion 18 functions as a valve housing and has mounted therein a valve 30. As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the valve 30 has a circular central portion 32 and radiating circumferentially spaced outer portions 34.

The reduced rear portion 20 isprovided with a rear wall 36 having a reduced opening 38 therethrough. The opening 38 is of a lesser diameter than the circular central portion 32 of the valve 30 and is adapted to be closed thereby. Communicating the reduced rear portion 29 with the interior of the bulb 24, there is a generally Conical passageway 40 formed integrally with the rear part of the handle portion 18 The container portion 22 is closed at its rear end by a rear wall 42 having a vent-opening 44 therein. Slidablymounted within the rear part of the container portion 22 is a closure member 46. The closure member 46 is provided with a V-shaped circumferential groove 43 ,to facilitate a seal between the closure member 46 and the inner wall of the container portion 22. In order that the vent opening 44 may be initially closed the closure member 46 is provided with a rearwardly projecting central portion Stl which initially is received within the vent opening 44.

In order that tooth paste may be supplied to the bristles 16,. the hollow head'12 is provided with a pair of discharge tubes 52 which are disposed between the bristles 16.

In operation, the container portion 22 is filled with tooth paste. When the bulb 24 is squeezed through the openings 54 in the forward handle portion 18, the slit aymaoaz 26 opens and the air initially in the bulb 24 is expelled. When the bulb'24 isrele'ase'dftheslit 26 automatically closes with result that a vacuum is formed in the bulb 24 which causes the Valve 30 to move forward uncovering the opening 38. Toothpaste disposed within the container portion 22is then drawnlinto the bulb 24 through the opening3 8'and the passage 40. The neit time'the bulb'24 is squeezed, the tooth paste contained'therein'goes intothe tube 14 of the hollowhead '12 and out of the discharge tubes 52 to supply'the bristles 16 with't'ooth paste.

'It will be noted that the "bristles16are provided with a suitable cover 56. The cover'56 is'provided with inwardly disposed projections 58 which seat inlongitudinal recesses'60 in the sides'of the'holl'ow-head 14 in the manner best illustrated in Fi ures 1 and 4. "It will be understood'that'the cover S'G'issnapped on and oh of the-hollow'he'ad' 12.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that'there is illustrated a modifiedform of tooth brush which'is referred'to in general by the reference numeral 62. The tooth brush 62is intended for the cleaning of false teeth and includes a hollow head 64 having a tube portion extending longitudinally thereof. Carried by the hollow head 64 on opposite sides thereof are bristles 68 of a suitable design for the cleaning of false teeth. In order that tooth paste may be convenientlysupplied to false teeth being cleaned, the forward endof the hollow edge 64 is provided with a discharge tube 70. The discharge tube 70 communicates with the tube portion 66 and facilitates the supplying of tooth paste. It will be understood that the handle portion of the tooth brush 62 is identical with the handle portion of the toothbrushand need not be illustrated or explained in more detail.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of valve construction. The valve construction includes a cylindrical rear portion 72 of a bulb member such. as the bulb member 24 which has interlocked therewith a tubular member 74. The'tubular member 74 is provided with a forward flange portion 76 having a-plurality of tooth paste passages 78 therethrough, thetooth paste passages 78 communicating with the interior of the tubular member 74. The flangeportion 76 is also provided with a forwardly projecting, centrally located circular cross-sectional boss 80. Carried within-the cylindrical portions 72 of the bulb and disposed forwardly ofthe rear end thereof is an annular flange portion 82. Theannular flange portion 82 is provided with a centrally located circular opening 84 of a size to receive the boss 80. In normal operation the boss 80 is disposed within the circular opening 84 and closing the same. When the bulb of which the cylindrical rear portion 72 is a part is squeezed, the annular flange 82 closes the passages 78. Then when the bulb is released, the vacuum therein causes the cylindrical flange 82 to move forwardly with result that the passages 78 are uncovered and the tooth paste passes therethrough into the bulb through the cylindrical rear portion 72. It will'be understood that the above described valve may be utilized as a replacement for the valve illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated still another modified form of valve construction. The valve constructionincludes a cylindrical rearportion 86 of a bulb such as the bulb 24. 'The cylindrical rear portion 86 has interlocked therewith a tubular member 88. The tubular member 88 is provided at its forward end with an annular flange 90 which is received within the cylindrical rear portion 86. The annular flange 90 isprovided with a centrally located circular opening 92 which is'continuous with the bore 94 through the tubular member 88. Carried-within the cylindrical rear portion 86 adjacent the opening 92 is a circular valve member 94. The valve member 94 is suspended within the cylindrical rear portion 86 by plurality of radiating support elements 96. The suption dd-and the val'i'e'mernber 94. It willbe understood that the cylindrical rear portion 86, the drive member 94 and the radiating supports 96 are formed of resilient ma terial.

In operation, the bulb of which the cylindrical rear portion 86 is apart is squeezed with the result that the valve member 94 is urgedrearwardly to close the opening 92. When the bulb-isreleased, the vacuumtherein causes forward movement of the valve member 94 which permits the uncovering of the opening :92and'the application of suction to the bore 94 which will cause the drawing of tooth paste therethrough. 'It will be understood that the valve assembly illustrated in Figure-s9 and 10 is intended for replacement of the valve illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications'and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired-to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed as new is asfollows:

l. A handle construction'for a-tooth brush comprising a hollow head having at least one dispensing opening, a forwardhollow handle portion connected to said head in communication therewith, a hollow rear handle portion removably connected .tosaid forward handle portion iii-communication therewith, a tubular resilient pump member disposed in said forward handleportion, transversely opposite openings in said forward handle portion providing access to said pump member, valves at opposite ends of said pump member, said rear handle portion forming a reservoir.

2. A handle construction for a tooth brush comprising a=hollowhead having at least one dispensing opening, a forward hollow handle portion connected to said head in communicationtherewith, a hollow rear handle portion removably connected to said forward handle portion in communication therewith, a tubular resilient pump member disposed in said forward handle portion, transversely opposite openings in said forward handleportion providing access to said pump member, valves at opposite ends of said pump member, said rear handle portion forming a reservior, saidrearhandle portion having a closed end remote'from said forward handle portion, a vent opening in said closed end, a closure member slidably mounted insaid rear handle portion preventing flow through said vent opening of material to be dispensed. I

3. A handle'construction for a toothbrush comprising a hollow head'having at least one dispensing opening, a forward hollow handle portion connected to said head in communication therewith, said forward handle portion terminating in a valve housing, a'rear handle portion removably connected to said forward handle portion through said valve housing and communicating with said forward "handle portion through said valve housing, a tubular resilient 'purnp'carried by said valve housing and disposed in-said forwardnhandle portion, an inlet valve for-said pump seatedin said-valve housing, an outlet valve for said pump formed as a part of said pumpand seated in *said'hollow head, said rear ihandleiportion forming a reservoir,transverselywpposite openings in said forward handle 'portion providing access to said. pump.

References Cited inthefile of this, patent UNITEDqS'l-ATES PATENTS 1,392,601 Rose Oct. '4, 1921 2,282,034 "Christensen May 5, 1942 2,305,158 Hanses Dec. 1-5, 1942 2,607,513 Lawson Aug. 19,1952 2,715,236 Tereno Aug. 16.21 955 

